June 2013 Trip to Sudhan Gali, Ganga Choti, Leepa and Chakothi

[imarshad]

When we reached Sudhan Gali the rain stopped and the weather was very pleasant... We checked in the Benazir Palace... It is really a very nice place to stay with very good quality furniture and extremely good interior design....

Our room Key....

Dish Antennas set to receive signals from AsiaSat 3S....

Lawn of the Benazir Palace....

[imarshad]

More from the lawn of Benazir Palace.....

BBQ Setup for live Bar BQ......

[imarshad]

After properly checking in we ordered Chicken Corn soup and within 30 min. freshly prepared soup was served.... Those spending the day in Islamabad (43C) and Lahore (45C) might think us as fools but it was a very pleasant weather and we really enjoyed the soup.....

After taking the soup we strolled down to the Sudhan Gali bazaar and bought some Pulpy and other juices for tomorrows hike to Ganga Choti....I have always been fascinated by the good behaviour of Kashmiri people and it was further proved by the way the shopkeepers treated us in Sudhan Gali and Chakar...They are not greedy and selfish like the one's at Murree and Naran etc. Very gentle and courteous.

Mom and Dad walking down to the Sudhan Gali bazaar....

Deforestation is at it's peak in Sudhan Gali.....

A tree with white flowers... There were many of these in that area...

[imarshad]

Since we had quite some time before sunset so we decided to take a small walk into the mountain that is opposite to the one where we stayed....

Walking up while my family members were coming to me....

The only place from where Ganga Choti (In fact it is not the highest peak that is visible but just adjacent to it) can be viewed in Sudhan Gali.... Otherwise you have to hike for almost 2 hours before you see it's first glimpse....

[imarshad]

and after taking this small walk we retired to our hotel and ordered two chicken Karahi's and let me tell you it was one of the best that I have ever eaten... This also brings first day to an end...

[d3vil]

Good going .. Very well define yr experience..@ these beautifull places.. wating for more pics.....

[Shahzad727]

brief naration.beautiful pics.excellent work.weldone.keep rolling.

[imarshad]

Day2:
We started Day2 early and got up at 6AM... By 7:30 AM the breakfast was served and we were ready to leave... Infact the exact time that we started the track was 8:25AM. This was my second hike of this highest point of Bagh region. I think only Pir Kanthi was the mountain that was higher than this within a 15-20KM radius.
For my first attempt in 2011 you can follow my earlier thread
https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/166343-ganga-choti-hiking-expedition

Anyways we started at 8:25AM and I with my cousin were the first to reach the top at exactly 11:25AM that is in 3hours flat... I think I could have done it in 2.5 hours but my cousin was feeling the additional fats and I had to stop for him quite a few times...
My parents reached the top in 3.5 hours... Yes they did reach the top of Ganga Choti... My father is 62 years old and my mother is 55 and yet they managed to reach the top.... My brother reached in more than 4 hours...

Anyways we reached back in Sudhan Gali by 2:30PM....Left for Dao Khan from Sudhan Gali at about 3:30PM reached Hattian Bala at about 5PM and left the Jehlum river at about 5:30PM from Naily and reached Dao Khan at 7:40PM.
Night stay in Forest Rest house in Dao Khan.

[ism1]

congrats on completing this wonderful trip !!!!!

Waiting for very useful details and lots of pics

+++++++++++ 1 +++++++++++ (y)

[ism1]

brief naration.beautiful pics.excellent work.weldone.keep rolling.

+++++++++++++++1++++++++++++++

[ism1]

Day2:
We started Day2 early and got up at 6AM... By 7:30 AM the breakfast was served and we were ready to leave... Infact the exact time that we started the track was 8:25AM. This was my second hike of this highest point of Bagh region. I think only Pir Kanthi was the mountain that was higher than this within a 15-20KM radius.
For my first attempt in 2011 you can follow my earlier thread
https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/166343-ganga-choti-hiking-expedition

Anyways we started at 8:25AM and I with my cousin were the first to reach the top at exactly 11:25AM that is in 3hours flat... I think I could have done it in 2.5 hours but my cousin was feeling the additional fats and I had to stop for him quite a few times...
My parents reached the top in 3.5 hours... Yes they did reach the top of Ganga Choti... My father is 62 years old and my mother is 55 and yet they managed to reach the top.... My brother reached in more than 4 hours...

Anyways we reached back in Sudhan Gali by 2:30PM....Left for Dao Khan from Sudhan Gali at about 3:30PM reached Hattian Bala at about 5PM and left the Jehlum river at about 5:30PM from Naily and reached Dao Khan at 7:40PM.
Night stay in Forest Rest house in Dao Khan.

Salute to your all family members, specially your Mom and Dad !!!

[rehmank]

If we move from bagh toward hattian bala on a car,how many stoney water streams to cross without bridges,i heard that road ahead bagh toward chikar is no more,it was a jeep track.Thats what i wanted to ask you.

Road condition, from Bagh to Suddan Gali is quite reasonable, no issues. From Suddan Gali to Chikkar, it's quite bad but cars can still make it. From Chikkar to Dhani, it's average

[Skill]

Road condition, from Bagh to Suddan Gali is quite reasonable, no issues. From Suddan Gali to Chikkar, it's quite bad but cars can still make it. From Chikkar to Dhani, it's average

Is it latest info?

[Raheeln]

contact no? and rates of Benazir Palace ??

[saleemi.rsc]

contact no? and rates of Benazir Palace ??

[saleemi.rsc]

Rates start from 3000/- upto 6000/-

[Believer]

thanx, rates are bit high, as in kashmir rates are normally low!!

is it worth 3k or 4 k ?

[Raheeln]

the contact no was already on the key as well, thanx, rates are very high !!

[haris05]

Arshad bhai why NOC is required to visit Leepa Valley?

[rehmank]

Is it latest info?

Almost :).

Road condition, from Suddan gali to Dhani, can also be confirmed by imarshad. Sir am I right?